Salem, Ore.— After Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek announced the details of the Oregon Education Investment Initiative last Thursday, APANO Executive Director Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons and Oregon Education Association President Hanna Vaandering released the following statement on behalf of Fair Shot for All:

“It’s no secret that Oregon’s corporate taxes are some of the lowest in the country and the status quo is projected to produce long-term budget deficits. Without action to generate new revenue, we face severe cuts to education, health care, and other programs that would harm Oregonians in every part of the state, especially women and people of color. Real reform to our corporate tax system will allow us to move forward in the fight to ensure that every Oregonian feels safe in their community and has access to a quality public education, health care, a stable home, and a fair shot at economic success.

“The Oregon Education Investment Initiative is a bold plan that generates much-needed revenue in fair and stable way that will help prevent severe cuts for schools and communities around the state. With this proposal, Speaker Kotek and Representatives Nathanson and Barnhart are demonstrating serious leadership, refusing to kick the can down the road and restoring a sustainable balance to the state’s tax code.

“We are hopeful that their colleagues in both houses are ready to roll up their sleeves and move forward with a tax reform plan that strengthens the state’s budget, stabilizes school funding, and expands economic opportunity for all Oregonians.”